to my shoulder. “Looks like she got both of you with one shot.”
“Sloane,” I breathed and moved to her side. I faltered for a brief second when I saw the amount of blood on and around her upper body. “How can I help?” I asked, desperate for something to do with my hands.
“Keep her talking and keep your hands out of my way. I’ll let you know if I need any help,” Sophia said reassuringly.
Cupping Sloane’s cheeks, I met her eyes and told her what I’d wanted to say for some time. “I love you, Sloane O’Shea.”
“I love you, Bronze Black, and your little Blue, too,” she said as her eyes started to close. They suddenly popped back open, and she gasped when her eyes landed on my shoulder. “You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine,” I reassured her. “Trust me. I’ve been blown up, stabbed, and almost hit by a car. This little flesh wound is nothing.”
“Sloane,” Sophia interrupted. “You’re bleeding. A lot. Are you taking any kind of blood-thinning medication?”
“No, but I’ve always been a bleeder, and I bruise easily,” she explained.
“I’m afraid this is more than that,” Sophia said worriedly.
“Why do you say that?” I asked right as the paramedics arrived.
A familiar voice caught my attention before she could answer. “No one touch anything while I’m with my family. You’ve fucked up enough as it is!” Tatum fumed as she stormed to me and Sloane.
She dropped damn near all of her weight on me when she bent her knees to hug me. “I knew you were okay, but I had to see for myself!”
“You're killing me, Tatum," I groaned and let go of Sloane to hold my aching shoulder.
“Oh shit! You got hit?” Tatum said and let go of me. “The shooter’s in custody. I have to get back over there since I'll be taking her in and leading the interrogation because these bozos couldn't even execute a simple apprehension correctly. But I'll meet you at the hospital as soon as I'm finished.” She got to her feet and held out her hand. “Sorry, Pinky, I'm going to need your weapon.”
I grumbled under my breath when I gave it to her, knowing it would be weeks—if not months—before I saw it again. She took it and started to walk away before she turned back and said, “I haven't had a chance to call the club yet.”
“I took care of that,” Chains interjected. “I’d spoken to Phoenix earlier this week to get his permission to wear my colors through Blackwings territory. He said to tell you that he'll meet you at the hospital.”
“Thanks, man,” I said and extended my hand to him. “Your Old Lady saved my Old Lady's life, so as the VP of the Devil Springs chapter, I'm extending a marker to you and yours.”
He shook my hand. “Anytime, man. I'm glad we were able to help.”
“We’re ready to go,” one of the paramedics announced. “Is someone riding with her?”
“I am,” I declared and stepped forward.
“But you're hurt,” Sloane argued.
“I'll get it checked out at the hospital,” I promised and gestured for them to start moving.
Once we were in the ambulance and moving down the road, one of the paramedics said, “Ms. O’Shea, are you on any blood thinners?”
“No, I’m not taking any medications other than birth control,” she replied. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
“Let me start by saying it’s nothing to be overly alarmed about just yet, but you’re bleeding a bit more than usual for this type of injury, and I’m having a hard time getting it to slow down.”
“Sloane,” I said slowly as a thought I wasn’t ready to process occurred to me. “The tooth you used for the DNA test. How did you know it was Paige’s tooth?”
“I saw a picture of her with gauze in her mouth and an ice bag held against her cheek,” she explained. “Why?”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I know what picture you’re talking about. That was taken when Paige had gum surgery a few years ago. Where did you find the tooth?”
“In a small jewelry box that was in the stuff from the rental house.”
I cleared my throat and reached for her hand, unsure of how she was going to react when she heard what I had to say. “I remember when she had to have the tooth removed. Since she wasn’t one to frequently call in sick to work, I clearly remember when she asked for a few days off to take care